South African journalist Micah Reddy released in Djibouti

South African investigative journalist Micah Reddy was released from custody in Djibouti on Tuesday, September 22, and left the country unharmed, according to his family and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). His family said he was on his way to South Africa. ICIJ said local associate Kooki Mahmoud was also free; Reddy’s family said Mahmoud had been released without charge. Reddy and Mahmoud lost contact with colleagues after they were together in Djibouti on Saturday, September 19. The family said Reddy had been held by Djiboutian authorities from about 1 p.m. that day. ICIJ confirmed his release and departure on Tuesday, while the family said it had been unable to obtain direct confirmation of the men’s condition or establish contact during the detention. The accounts differ over why Reddy was in Djibouti. The country’s Interior Minister, Omar Abdi Said, said Reddy intended to carry out assignments without the authorities’ knowledge and had bypassed a media accreditation requirement. Said said Reddy was ordered to leave the country on Tuesday. Reddy’s family said he was not in Djibouti to report on the country or its government.